Black & Decker Toaster Oven CTO 8000 - one year of light use and the door closer arm broke

# 12 for May 26, 2002

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on May 25, 2002:

From: Dick Viti [Email User] RE: Black & Decker Toaster Oven CTO 8000 - one year of light use and the door closer arm broke

In just over one year of light use the door closer arm broke rendering the device useless. The door closing arm is made of a thin, flat metal slightly heavier than the tab on a soda can. This has to be a known design flaw (certainly an obvious one).

When I called to complain, the customer service representative knew precisely what I was referring to and was familiar with the problem (she made the association of the metals thickness to that of a tab on the soda can).

It is possible the rest of the unit is well constructed but we will never know. This penny piece of metal is the weak link in this "chain." Also, I have since checked two floor models - on one the same piece was broken; on the other it was about to break. Because the warranty had expired Black and Decker customer service provided no service - I was told that the problem would be reported to R&D. Customer service referred me to another department where we were given the opportunity to purchase a new one at the discounted price of $95.00. Wow! What a deal! No Thanks! That unit cost way too much for just one year of limited use. Black & Decker should have repaired or replaced the unit. It will do neither. You are welcome to forward this to Black & Decker customer support at Email User Thanks, Dick Viti